How to rig whole, chunk, and strip baits for Trout and Salmon Surf Fishing
Surf fishing with whole, cut chunks, or strip baits made from bait fish will use any of the Basic Bottom Fishing Rig Setups. The bottom fishing setups used with bait should have a leader length of at least 3 feet with 8 to 12 pound test fluorocarbon leader. When targeting brown trout we will increase the leader to 5 feet with 6 pound test fluorocarbon leader material. The preferred base hook for bait whole, chunk, and strip bait fish is an Octopus style hook. When fishing whole of strip baits a second smaller size hook or treble hook is used as a stinger near the tail.
How to rig chunk baits:
Surf fishing cut chunks of bait made from bait fish will use any of the Basic Bottom Fishing Rig Setups. Fluorocarbon leader material should be used not the red line used in the picture above. We like to use Octopus style hooks. The color of the hook does not seem to be important. Size #2 to 4/0 hooks should be used depending on the size of the bait piece. The hook is pushed thru the bait then comes out the same side. You want the hook point exposed for the best hook penetration into the mouth of the trout or salmon.
How to rig chunk baits:
Surf fishing strips or whole bait will use any of the Basic Bottom Fishing Rig Setups. Fluorocarbon leader material should be used not the red line used in the picture above. We like to use Octopus style hooks. The color of the hook does not seem to be important. Size #2 to 4/0 hooks should be used depending on the size of the bait piece. When tying the lead hook onto the leader material leave a 12 inch piece of leader material. Then attach a treble hook or smaller size Octopus hook 6 to 8 inches below the lead hook as a stinger hook. The lead hook is pushed thru the bait then comes out the same side. You want the hook point exposed for the best hook penetration into the mouth of the trout or salmon. The line is then wrapped around the whole or strip and the treble hook placed near the tail of the bait piece. Brown Trout are notorious for grabbing a strip or whole bait by the tail and swimming away. The stinger hook will catch those fish.
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